The ability to tie our shoes may be something most people take for granted—but for many of us, lacing up can be a real pain. Nike aims to fix that problem with the GO FlyEase ($120), a shoe that wearers with disabilities can slip on and off, hands-free. A hinge in the middle allows the shoe to bend open, while a midsole tensioner band, crafted from surgical tubing, snaps it back into place. The shoe could help people with a wide range of conditions, from flexibility issues and arthritis to visual impairments. “The human experience is vast and broad—why aren’t we providing solutions that help people dress themselves independently?” asks Sarah Reinertsen, a Paralympic athlete and member of Nike’s innovation team who worked on prototypes of the shoe. “Nike wants to make sports more accessible, and this is a part of that.” —Jesse Will
Buy Now: Nike GO FlyEase
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